The first time I saw the first TV spot for Greg Mottola's Adventureland, I was hooked. It's a throwback film to the mid-'80s, just like American Graffiti was for the '50s. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Ryan Reynolds, with Martin Starr, Matt Bush, Margarita Levieva, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig, in supporting roles. Written, produced and directed by Greg Mottola (of Superbad and Arrested Development fame), this period comedy-drama is a completely new direction from his previous picture, Superbad, a teen sex comedy starring Michael Cera and Jonah Hill. Even though I love Superbad with all my heart, I can say without stutter that Adventureland is an infinitely better film.
The film stars Eisenberg as James Brennan, a recent college graduate who is excited to soon be off spending a summer in Europe, when his parents inform him that they cannot pay for his trip or for any graduate school. In order to attend Columbia University, his dream grad school, James has to get a job. He finds a job at Adventureland, a local amusement park in his hometown of Pittsburgh. After being assigned to the games area by the assistant manager Bobby (Bill Hader), James meets all of his co-workers, including the alluring Lisa P. and the part-time mechanic, Mick Connell. On his first day, he anger a man who then threatens to stab him over a large teddy bear. Another games worker, Em (Kristen Stewart) saves him in the nick of time. Because her parents are out, Em has a party and gets to know James. After going out for drink, Em and James start to discuss their love lives and the casual drink blossoms into a budding romance. But this romance is far from perfect. The alluring Lisa P. has taken a liking to James and she wants him for herself. And Connell is more than just good friends with Em. As the movie progresses, we explore what life is about for these mid-'80s teenagers. As James and Em's romance develops, so too do the conflicts in their lives. When Lisa P. tells James about Connell and Em's affair, he goes to investigate, seeing EM leave Connell's house right as he pulls up.But Em was there to end the affair. This leads to a downward spiral in the relationship, ending with Em leaving. Now, this is not the ending, for that, my friend, you have to see the film.
The best park of the film is probably the supporting characters, played by Starr, Wiig, and Hader. They are so well fleshed out and dynamic, just like real people with real lives. Their lives don't revolve around the main characters, which is refreshing, because this type of film usually falls into the tropes of '80s teen comedies, like Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Say Anything..., where all the characters seem to revolve around the main stars like the moon around the Earth. These people have lives beyond their interactions with James and Em, and that's important in a well-made film. Here's a clip of Joel (Martin Starr) explaining a higher truth:
And here's a clip with the equally funny Bill Hader and Kristen Wiiig couple from the movie:
These characters are genuinely funny and endearing. Joel actually has a little subplot going on revolving around his relationship with a female coworker. And the chemistry between Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig is just mind-blowing; they act just like one of those couples that work together (you know the kind of people I'm talking about). Beyond these three, there are a whole other cast of characters to be experienced as you dive into the film.
An equally amazing part of the film is the soundtrack. It seems to have been pulled from the personal record collection of Mottola, the director, himself with gems like "Here She Comes Now" by the Velvet Underground, "Blister in the Sun" by the Violet Femmes and "Breakin' The Law" by Judas Priest as highlights. The music is generally alternative pop or rock from the mid'p80s though some songs from the late '60s through the '70s are present because music doesn't just go away. Just like these songs are popular now, they were even more popular back then. And of course, the traditional '80s throwback song, "Modern Love" has made its way into the film as a song played at the amusement park. These song just seem to ground the film and make it a believable piece on '80s teens. Also, the song just seem to fit with the tone of certain scenes, like this one midway through the film (fast-forward to 1.10 for the song "Breakin' The Law" by Judas Priest synced with a chase scene):
For the record, this clip is also a great example of the quirk of both Martin Starr as Joel and Bill Hader as Bobby. This scene seems to perfectly sync the song with the tone of the scene.Even though Mottola does not use the song during a scene where the character's are actually breaking the law, the tone of the song and the scene just match. This happens throughout the film, including during the introduction of Lisa P. with the song "Let The Music Play" by Shannon, which seems to fit the tone of the seem well. Overall, this soundtrack is one of the best examples of a classic period score, including both sounds from the decade depicted as well as older sounds that seem to give the film a universal, full feeling, like deep explorations of characters, or cultural references.
WHat can I say? This was a great film: well directed, acted, written, etc. However, Kristen Stewart is not my favorite actress and I feel that the film ultimately comes in a little quickly towards the end. Everything seems to wrap itself up abruptly. Therefore, I feel that for the movie alone, I would gladly give ti four stars. If I were reviewing separate categories: five out of five all around in directing, writing, soundtrack, and cinematography. This film just felt like it was made in the '80s. It just fits in with the more mature '80s teen films, like The Breakfast Club or Fast Times at RIdgemont High. The acting, especially from Kristen Stewart would get a three because, well, it isn't Twilight or Snow White, and I admire that she made an effort to smile at least once. That was pleasing. Though the film does feel a bit dated (because it is a period piece) it is a throwback film. It is not supposed to be just like a modern story. But the themes and characters still are just as relevant now as they would have been in 1986. Affairs and cheating do not work out well in the long-run. We can all learn something from that. Also, the film does feel like it has some deep connection to Superbad, Mottola's previous film, but the film is ultimately a drama, which relies on emotion, rather than laughs. This shows a different, more real side of Mottola, who wrote the screenplay based on some of his own experiences from his youth. This film, both emotionally, and visually was a vast improvement over Superbad (which, for the record, I actually really enjoy). It also helps that Mottola lived the film as well as writing, producing, directing, and having a small acting cameo. For all intensive purposes, this was Greg Mottola's film. If you liked Superbad, go ahead and watch the film; tonally, it is completely different, but they both deal with growing up and having to face responsibility, and they are both by Mottola, so, why not? I am sure that if you like Jesse EIsenberg or Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, you've already watched the film, but if Kristen Stewart is stopping you from going to check it out, I would suggest that you should still try to watch the film; Kristen Stewart actually does a pretty good job. For a fan of'80s teen films, especially those of John Hughes and Amy Heckerling, you should seriously consider to see this film. Greg Mottola grew up in the '80s and he pays an honorific homage to the decade through his best film to date - Adventureland.
T
The film stars Eisenberg as James Brennan, a recent college graduate who is excited to soon be off spending a summer in Europe, when his parents inform him that they cannot pay for his trip or for any graduate school. In order to attend Columbia University, his dream grad school, James has to get a job. He finds a job at Adventureland, a local amusement park in his hometown of Pittsburgh. After being assigned to the games area by the assistant manager Bobby (Bill Hader), James meets all of his co-workers, including the alluring Lisa P. and the part-time mechanic, Mick Connell. On his first day, he anger a man who then threatens to stab him over a large teddy bear. Another games worker, Em (Kristen Stewart) saves him in the nick of time. Because her parents are out, Em has a party and gets to know James. After going out for drink, Em and James start to discuss their love lives and the casual drink blossoms into a budding romance. But this romance is far from perfect. The alluring Lisa P. has taken a liking to James and she wants him for herself. And Connell is more than just good friends with Em. As the movie progresses, we explore what life is about for these mid-'80s teenagers. As James and Em's romance develops, so too do the conflicts in their lives. When Lisa P. tells James about Connell and Em's affair, he goes to investigate, seeing EM leave Connell's house right as he pulls up.But Em was there to end the affair. This leads to a downward spiral in the relationship, ending with Em leaving. Now, this is not the ending, for that, my friend, you have to see the film.
The best park of the film is probably the supporting characters, played by Starr, Wiig, and Hader. They are so well fleshed out and dynamic, just like real people with real lives. Their lives don't revolve around the main characters, which is refreshing, because this type of film usually falls into the tropes of '80s teen comedies, like Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Say Anything..., where all the characters seem to revolve around the main stars like the moon around the Earth. These people have lives beyond their interactions with James and Em, and that's important in a well-made film. Here's a clip of Joel (Martin Starr) explaining a higher truth:
And here's a clip with the equally funny Bill Hader and Kristen Wiiig couple from the movie:
These characters are genuinely funny and endearing. Joel actually has a little subplot going on revolving around his relationship with a female coworker. And the chemistry between Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig is just mind-blowing; they act just like one of those couples that work together (you know the kind of people I'm talking about). Beyond these three, there are a whole other cast of characters to be experienced as you dive into the film.
An equally amazing part of the film is the soundtrack. It seems to have been pulled from the personal record collection of Mottola, the director, himself with gems like "Here She Comes Now" by the Velvet Underground, "Blister in the Sun" by the Violet Femmes and "Breakin' The Law" by Judas Priest as highlights. The music is generally alternative pop or rock from the mid'p80s though some songs from the late '60s through the '70s are present because music doesn't just go away. Just like these songs are popular now, they were even more popular back then. And of course, the traditional '80s throwback song, "Modern Love" has made its way into the film as a song played at the amusement park. These song just seem to ground the film and make it a believable piece on '80s teens. Also, the song just seem to fit with the tone of certain scenes, like this one midway through the film (fast-forward to 1.10 for the song "Breakin' The Law" by Judas Priest synced with a chase scene):
For the record, this clip is also a great example of the quirk of both Martin Starr as Joel and Bill Hader as Bobby. This scene seems to perfectly sync the song with the tone of the scene.Even though Mottola does not use the song during a scene where the character's are actually breaking the law, the tone of the song and the scene just match. This happens throughout the film, including during the introduction of Lisa P. with the song "Let The Music Play" by Shannon, which seems to fit the tone of the seem well. Overall, this soundtrack is one of the best examples of a classic period score, including both sounds from the decade depicted as well as older sounds that seem to give the film a universal, full feeling, like deep explorations of characters, or cultural references.
WHat can I say? This was a great film: well directed, acted, written, etc. However, Kristen Stewart is not my favorite actress and I feel that the film ultimately comes in a little quickly towards the end. Everything seems to wrap itself up abruptly. Therefore, I feel that for the movie alone, I would gladly give ti four stars. If I were reviewing separate categories: five out of five all around in directing, writing, soundtrack, and cinematography. This film just felt like it was made in the '80s. It just fits in with the more mature '80s teen films, like The Breakfast Club or Fast Times at RIdgemont High. The acting, especially from Kristen Stewart would get a three because, well, it isn't Twilight or Snow White, and I admire that she made an effort to smile at least once. That was pleasing. Though the film does feel a bit dated (because it is a period piece) it is a throwback film. It is not supposed to be just like a modern story. But the themes and characters still are just as relevant now as they would have been in 1986. Affairs and cheating do not work out well in the long-run. We can all learn something from that. Also, the film does feel like it has some deep connection to Superbad, Mottola's previous film, but the film is ultimately a drama, which relies on emotion, rather than laughs. This shows a different, more real side of Mottola, who wrote the screenplay based on some of his own experiences from his youth. This film, both emotionally, and visually was a vast improvement over Superbad (which, for the record, I actually really enjoy). It also helps that Mottola lived the film as well as writing, producing, directing, and having a small acting cameo. For all intensive purposes, this was Greg Mottola's film. If you liked Superbad, go ahead and watch the film; tonally, it is completely different, but they both deal with growing up and having to face responsibility, and they are both by Mottola, so, why not? I am sure that if you like Jesse EIsenberg or Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, you've already watched the film, but if Kristen Stewart is stopping you from going to check it out, I would suggest that you should still try to watch the film; Kristen Stewart actually does a pretty good job. For a fan of'80s teen films, especially those of John Hughes and Amy Heckerling, you should seriously consider to see this film. Greg Mottola grew up in the '80s and he pays an honorific homage to the decade through his best film to date - Adventureland.
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